Monday, February 3, 2014

School counselors honored during National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School
Counselor Association, is being celebrated this week, Feb. 3–7, 2014, to
focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional
school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are
different as a result of what school counselors do. National School
Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can
have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

School
counselors are being saluted for being actively engaged in helping
students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for
working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges
of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to
enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development;
and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational
system where students can realize their potential and set healthy,
realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.

Professional
school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's
degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and
experience makes them an integral part of the total educational
program.

"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to
learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career awareness in
post-secondary options and personal/social skills,” said Kwok-Sze Wong,
Ed.D., executive director of the American School Counselors Association.
“Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student
achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents,
teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student
success."
More than 32,000 school counselors nationwide will be
participating in the week's festivities. Parents or community members
with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs
should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More
general information can also be found on ASCA's website,
www.schoolcounselor.org.